BOSTON—Cabot Corp. said it was investing to expand the manufacturing capabilities for elastomer composites at its factory in Port Dickson, Malaysia, and also has formed a dedicated elastomer composites team.
Cabot said the composites are a class of materials mainly made of natural rubber and reinforcing materials such as carbon black. The materials are made using a proprietary and patented mixing process that brings a "superior level of carbon black dispersion and creates materials that are structurally different from compounds produced by conventional methods," the firm said in a statement.
Boston-based Cabot said when mixed with curing agents, molded or extruded, and then vulcanized, the elastomer composites bring dramatic improvements to rubber properties such as energy loss and resistance to abrasion, cutting or chipping, all of which are vital in off-the road applications.
The company has been developing its elastomer composites business and making the materials at its plant in Malaysia under an exclusive customer agreement, Sean Keohane, Cabot president and CEO, said in a statement.
"I am excited to see us transition to the next phase of growth," he said. "This investment strengthens our capabilities as we expand this high-performance product line to support a new set of customers.
Cabot appointed David Reynolds to the general manager of elastomer composites. He and his dedicated team will look to drive growth of the product line, with an emphasis on off-the-road tire, rubber track and mining capabilities.
"Off-the-road tires and rubber tracks are used in many applications where their performance determines the overall productivity of high-value assets," Reynolds said.
Cabot didn't release the amount of the investment it is making at the Malaysia facility.